Category: Attitude

Attitude

Don’t Kick Your Booty In The New Year

Jaime

The new year offers a clean slate. Goals have been reevaluated, and the past is behind us. Some love this time of year; others feel pressured to do and be better.

I no longer make resolutions. I’d go strong until day 13 and then fall back into former habits and routines. This led to hardcore personal booty kicking, followed by a pity party with bubbles of shame and guilt.

Does this mean that we shouldn’t set goals for ourselves? Nope. It’s important to set goals and be intentional in our lives, plus it feels good to start fresh, BUT let’s not beat ourselves up if we don’t end up meeting our unusually high self-imposed expectations.

Instead;

  • Get back on the goal horse (is that even a thing?). Every day is a new opportunity to start again.
  • Pray. Ask God if the goals you’ve set are the ones He wants for you. If you are in alignment with His will for your life, you’ll have His supernatural power backing you up (not saying it will be easy).
  • Be gentle with yourself. Life is hard enough without you kicking your own booty.

So go ahead and have that word for the year. Set those goals, be intentional. But remember, the outcome doesn’t and can’t ever change who you are.

Are you a fan of the new year or one who feels pressured by it?

Attitude

Don’t Be A Turkey

Jaime

A turkey sits on a platter at the dining room table, surrounded by yummy side dishes.

“I just love being the center of attention,” says turkey. “You side dishes would be nothing without me.”

“You look marvelous,” mashed potatoes whispers softly to sweet potatoes.

“Why, thank you. The marshmallows really bring out my sweetness.”

“Really?” gobbles turkey. “You know that you are competing against each other, being that you are both potatoes?”

“I hope I get to sit next to stuffing today,” green beans crunches excitedly.

“That’s nice of you to say string beans,”stuffing humbly replies. “I’m a little crispy this time around, so that fluffed me up a bit.”

“She’s coming!” jiggles the cranberry sauce.

The host picks up the platter of turkey and disappears into another room. “So long suckers,” says turkey on it’s way out.

“Why is the turkey so mean?” gurgles the gravy. “He never acknowledges me.”

The family starts to gather around the table when a loud crash from the kitchen distracts them. “Everything okay in there?” someone asks.

The host reappears empty-handed, wearing a long face. “I dropped the turkey.”

“Lucky for us, we have ham.” One of the guests comes alongside the host with a beautifully cooked ham.

“Yay!” the side dishes cheer. “We love ham!”

Don’t be a turkey.

Attitude

Never Satisfied

Jaime

Why is this so hard? I’d rather be doing something else. It’s too hot out.

This summer has been a challenging one. I find myself complaining a lot–often expressed through jokes and sarcasm. Regardless of how it’s packaged, it’s still complaining.

I have been discontent, and it shows through my words and attitude.

What I’m communicating through my grumbling is that God is not enough. I can say all day that I’m blessed and thankful, but my discontentment with circumstances and situations say differently.

I always want more. Things can still be a teensy bit better.

I can make all kinds of excuses as to why I grumble, but the truth is–I have an ungrateful heart.

The more I complain, the more I complain. My brain takes notes–keeping track of negative activity– and a new pattern of thinking develops.

I need to fill my mind and soul with gratitude. I want my brain to get the memo–we are switching it up to a more positive perspective. I can choose the words I speak over my life, but I need to be intentional about it.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Romans 12:2 NLT

I’ve been practicing mindfulness in this area. This is what it looks like:

Complaining

Gratitude

Why is this so hard?

I can do anything through Christ.

I’d rather be doing something else.

I am exactly where I need to be.

I’m too hot.

I have air conditioning (thank you, Lord).

What’s something you’ve been complaining about? How can you flip that complaint into gratitude? Please share in the comments so we can all be encouraged.

Attitude

Ouch, Said Accountability

Jaime

When someone criticizes me–even if it’s constructive–I can feel my walls going up, my heart putting on its protective gear.

But sometimes we need to hear this stuff, as hard as it may be.

Just the other day, I had a tough conversation with someone close to me. Some valid points were made and needed to be said, but I’ll admit–it hurt like hell to hear them.

My initial reaction was to defend myself, which I did for a bit. When our talk was over, I was left to choke on the feedback I had received. I can’t remember the last time I cried so hard.

I decided to go for a drive to process things. I was angry and confused. Was what they said true?

I called some friends for prayer AND because I knew they would co-sign my stuff. I wanted them to tell me that it was an exaggeration. I wanted them to tell me that is wasn’t true–but they didn’t answer.

In between sobs, the Word of God spoke to my heart through worship music. As painful as it was to fully engage with my feelings, I knew I was supposed to be in this exact place. I wasn’t meant to lean on or be comforted by anyone except for God.

What usually follows an episode like this is a big-old butt-kicking of my own doing and guilt for days. Instead, I felt this odd peace and conviction-not guilt-conviction. At that moment, I knew the feedback I had received was accurate. The messenger loved me enough to tell me the truth.

Sometimes the truth hurts, but we are called to hold each other accountable as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I chose to leave my pride at the cross and accept this as a growth opportunity. There was no booty kicking or guilt to speak of.

I know that God loves me as is, but I also know that He wants me to continue growing–and this was an opportunity to do so.

It’s in those times of deep sadness and pain that chains have been broken in my life. And in those times God has never left my side.

Who is helping you maintain accountability in your walk?

Attitude, Thought Life

But I Want To

Jaime

The food we eat affects our state of mind and overall health. In order to be fit and healthy, we need to eat well. I’ve realized over time that the same goes for my spiritual and emotional well being.

I started watching a new television series about the struggles of young adults. It has lots of explicit content.

I know what my own personal struggles and temptations are and often try to stay away from content that feeds the beasts. This show is not healthy for me to watch, yet I’m drawn to it.

The things we watch affect our minds and hearts

This is not a “though shall not” thing, more of a “this stuff seeps into my mind and heart” thing.

I’ve come to realize that my mind and heart are not always dependable when it comes to decision making. I can manipulate myself into thinking anything is right for me if I want to.

I am good at rationalizing things. For instance, I want to author books for young adults. I’d also like to mentor young women. This show could potentially help me to understand what it’s like to live as a young woman in this day and age. Therefore, its research. Boom!

I can’t undo the things I’ve seen and heard. They have played a part in my life in one way or another. Adding more length to the reel doesn’t serve me well…

But I want to watch it.

This is where I have to make a choice.

We can’t undo what we’ve seen

Will I submit to my fleshly desires and continue watching? Am I willing to accept the consequences? Do I want to regress to former ways of thinking and old patterns of behaviors?

I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. I do know what’s best for me, but I don’t always choose that route.

What’s your “But I want to?”

Attitude

Recycled

Jaime

There is lots of waste in the world. Thankfully, recycling has helped with the process of converting waste into reusable material.

This got me thinking about times in my life that I perceived as wasteful. Poor decisions, hard lessons, times of suffering, and despair. I’d often find myself in the role of victim: “why me, why this?”

What was the point of it all?

What if all we’ve been through wasn’t pointless but for a greater purpose?

This has helped me to view my experiences differently.

Would I repeat some of the things I’ve done in my life? Nope, BUT I wouldn’t take them back either. I’ve seen God recycle the messes I’ve made into reusable goods.

Instead of kicking my crap to the curb and burning it, I’ve decided to put mine in storage, saving it for opportunities to support, love and walk alongside others in need.

Together We Can

Benefits of recycling:

–Less pollution: healthier relationships, community.

–Saves energy: resentments burn our time and energy. Forgiveness and kindness refuel.

–Conserves valuable resources: We are God’s most valuable resource. Let’s support each other so we can be the people He created us to be.

What experiences in your life can be used to help someone else?

Attitude, Identity, LGBTQ

I See You

Jaime

Dear Fellow Females,

I don’t know you, but I love you.

How can I love you if I haven’t met you? Easy, because God loves me. He loves me in spite of everything I’ve done (and girl, I’ve done a lot).

Now that I know this love it’s my responsibility to love you. Not in a conditional way, but all of you. This doesn’t mean that I will affirm everything you do, but it does mean that I see you and accept you as a person.

If anyone has ever made you feel less than, I’m sorry.

If anyone has ever labeled you, I’m sorry.

If anyone has ever spit harmful words at you, I’m sorry.

Please hear me when I say: YOU are God’s Masterpiece (microphone drop).

You are beautiful, one of a kind, amazing, loved, cared about, special, worth dying for.

I’ve felt less than. I’ve been labeled. Harmful words have penetrated my soul. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So I’m reaching out… to you.

I don’t know your story, but if you’d like to share it with me, I’m here.